UCF will award more than 9,000 degrees during six commencement ceremonies this spring, continuing UCF’s record-setting pace of preparing highly qualified graduates to drive Florida’s rapidly expanding engineering and technology economy and provide vital services to our communities.
The university will host six ceremonies May 2 and 3 at Addition Financial Arena.
Graduates will hear from a national leader in fueling innovation and discovery in higher education and Central Florida leaders who are strengthening our communities, transforming lives through technology and philanthropy, and making industry breakthroughs with their work.
This would be the first spring in which UCF awards more than 9,000 degrees. And UCF produces such record numbers of high-achieving graduates – and nationally ranked student outcomes – efficiently. A UCF degree costs the State of Florida less than a degree from any other State University institution.
UCF serves more of Florida’s students than any other university. More than 90% of UCF’s undergraduate students are Florida residents — and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, with 85% of UCF’s new graduates remaining in Florida.
Overall, UCF anticipates awarding nearly a third of all degrees in STEM fields — with 16% of all degrees coming from the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Of all degrees, the College of Sciences will award 27%, with fields like digital media, chemistry and physics. The College of Business will award 13%, including disciplines such as finance and accounting. The College of Community Innovation and Education will award 12%, representing majors like education, health informatics and emergency management.
More than half of bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the university’s commitment to supporting students of all backgrounds. Additionally, more than one-quarter of bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.
Commencement Festivities
Held in Addition Financial Arena, the spring commencement will take place May 2-3.
All guests, including children and infants, need a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.
Guests who do not have tickets may watch the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed on UCF’s YouTube channel.
Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF
Main Campus
Two photo-ops are available for students to celebrate their accomplishments.
The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories through May 5.
On Thursday, May 1, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), spring graduates will be offered a photo-op — Grad Walk — within Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage. Graduates are required to register here.
Graduating Knights are not able to take photos in FBC Mortgage Stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.
UCF Downtown
UCF Downtown offers several great locations for unforgettable graduation photos. Here are our top picks of the best spots to memorialize your academic achievement.
Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. Use the iconic phrase, “If you want to go far, go together,” on the donor wall as a backdrop to pay homage to those who helped you along the way.
The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons capture the modern campus where you worked so hard to earn your degree.
Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign located at Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park features a large, welcoming lawn that leads up to the oversized “Orlando” letters at the end of the park, creating the ideal environment to mark your time in The City Beautiful.
Commencement Schedule
Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links:
PLEASE NOTE: College of Sciences graduates in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media* and the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs** attend the Friday, May 2 – Evening Ceremony (6:30 p.m.). All other College of Sciences graduates attend the Saturday, May 3 – Evening Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)
May 2, 9 a.m.
College of Business Administration
College of Undergraduate Studies
May 2, 2 p.m.
College of Health Professions and Sciences
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
May 2, 6:30 p.m.
Nicholson School of Communication and Media* (College of Sciences)
School of Politics, Security and International Affairs** (College of Sciences)
College of Arts and Humanities
May 3, 9 a.m.
College of Community Innovation and Education
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
May 3, 2 p.m.
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Graduate Studies
College of Optics and Photonics
May 3, 6:30 p.m.
College of Sciences (excluding Nicholson School of Communication and Media and School of Politics, Security and International Affairs)
Commencement Speakers
Naveed Shujaat ’04 ’06MBA
Central Florida president and managing director for the Private Bank
May 2, 9 a.m.
Shujaat is responsible for connecting clients, teammates and communities to the full power of the franchise, driving integration across eight lines of business. He oversees efforts to grow market share by fostering local connections and identifying opportunities to grow and deepen client relationships. He also leads the effort to deploy the company’s resources to help advance economic mobility and build strong communities.
Shujaat serves on the Board of the Heart of Florida United Way and has been a regular volunteer with Project Downtown, Second Harvest Food Bank and serves on the board of a local private school. He earned a bachelor’s in general business and a master’s in business administration from UCF.
Naveed has resided in Central Florida for more than 40 years. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and playing or coaching soccer and volleyball.
Glen Salow
Retired business executive, former executive vice president and chief information officer at Ameriprise Financial
May 2, 2 p.m.
Salow is a supporter of UCF’s College of Medicine. A member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, he champions medical technology and innovation as vital paths to global health and hope.
Glen and his wife, Rosemary, began their support through scholarships aimed at increasing the number of trained physicians in the community. They have since committed $6 million to the College of Medicine, including $1 million dedicated to advancing medical technology for physician education, research, and patient care.
Throughout his career, Salow specialized in identifying opportunities to create value through strategic technology solutions. He held senior technology roles at Aetna and Lehman Brothers, later serving as senior vice president of technology infrastructure and global CIO at American Express. He retired in 2012 as executive vice president and chief information officer (CIO) at Ameriprise Financial.
After “retirement,” Salow continued to make an impact as a special advisor in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the CIO. He has served on advisory boards for global companies such as Avaya, British Petroleum, IBM and Kleiner Perkins, and received recognition from CIO Magazine, Pace University, and Stockton University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He earned his MBA from Monmouth University.
Robert Jones
Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
May 2, 6:30 p.m.
After serving as the 10th chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign since 2016, Robert Jones will assume the role of the 34th president of the University of Washington on Aug. 1, 2025. At Illinois, Jones has advanced the university’s role as a 21st-century flagship land-grant institution, overseeing the creation of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and launching Illinois Commitment, a program guaranteeing four years of free tuition for in-state students from families earning less than $75,000.
A respected leader in higher education, Jones has served as chair of the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the Big Ten Council of Chancellors and Presidents. He also co-chairs the Innovate Illinois partnership, an initiative aimed at transforming the state into a hub for innovation.
Jones holds degrees from Fort Valley State College, the University of Georgia and the University of Missouri. He began his academic career at the University of Minnesota in 1978 and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Karen Irwin
President and chief operating officer for Universal Orlando Resort
May 3, 9 a.m.
Karen Irwin serves as president and chief operating officer of Universal Orlando Resort. She oversees Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay, Universal CityWalk and the brand-new, transformational Universal Epic Universe. In this role, Irwin sets and leads the overall strategic direction and vision for the company’s largest theme park destination which employs over 30,000 team members.
Irwin has led both the Orlando and Hollywood parks, having previously served as president of Universal Studios Hollywood.
Since joining Universal in 1990, Irwin has led the expansion of Universal Orlando Resort to a multi-park and resort destination, the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions in Orlando and Hollywood, and the development and opening of Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore, and Universal Beijing Resort.
A respected industry leader, she has served on the boards of Visit Orlando, Visit California and other key economic and tourism organizations.
Maryam Ghyabi-White
CEO of Ghyabi Consulting and Management
May 3, 2 p.m.
In her current role, Ghyabi-White is a consultant to the Florida Department of Transportation and local governments on complex infrastructure projects throughout the State of Florida. She has 30+ years of experience advocating for good transportation projects with a focus on environmental protection and sustainability and creating solutions to complicated projects, bringing together local government, the community and businesses.
Ghyabi-White serves as external advisory board member for the University of Florida Transportation Institute and is an adjunct professor of civil engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is also part of numerous other boards including the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board as vice-chair.
Ghyabi-White is a visionary who leads with grace and blazes trails where others see barriers. Her career achievements have redefined what it means to be an engineer, a public servant and a civic leader.
Yvette Kanouff ’88 ’93MS
Partner of JC2 Ventures
May 3, 6:30 p.m.
Kanouff is an Emmy award-winning technologist. She has held presidential and C-suite roles at various companies and focuses on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity and quantum. As a venture capital investor, entrepreneur and innovator, Kanouff has helped pioneer video streaming, app stores, MPEG standards, encoding standards, CDNs and the DVD.
Her many industry accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in engineering and technology, a Vanguard Award for leadership in cable and TV science and technology, an Industry Pioneer Award, two company Emmy’s (Video on Demand and Cloud DVR), and Top Techie Award. A Cable Hall of Fame member, Kanouff has also been recognized as one of the most influential people in the television industry while consistently being ranked among the top 100 media/cable/broadband industry executives.
Kanouff began her career in mathematics and artificial intelligence development. She is a two-time alum with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics. She’s also earned a Professional Achievement Award from UCF’s College of Sciences. Kanouff holds several patents and sits on various company and industry boards, including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers medal committees.
